223 Relationships with regional and national Partners' courts

223.1 Standing

Parishes continue to be regarded by regional and national Partners courts as one of their own, the normal channel of communication with the parish being through the parish council.

223.2 Representation

The parish council in the manner appropriate for each church arranges representation of the parish to the regional and national courts of the Partners. See definitions 123.

223.3 Joint oversight

a) The regional courts and their committees share oversight of the parish and have the duty to consult with the Joint Regional Committee.

b) Where a Union District Council is instituted these duties may be fulfilled with regard to the Methodist and Presbyterian churches in another way.

c) Officers of the regional and national Partners courts continue to exercise their ministries of pastoral care and oversight taking care to consult with their Partners colleagues and  also JRC on matters of joint concern.

223.4 Visitation

The visit will be convened, co?ordinated and reported by the Joint Regional Committee or by the Union District Council (see 223.3 a) and 413. Representatives of the regional courts will participate in these 5 yearly visitations on the basis of the agreed questionnaire.

223.5 Appeals

a) Questions involving the interpretation or application of Guide to Procedures should wherever possible be resolved by the Joint Regional Committee. Further appeal may be then made to the Forum of Cooperative Ventures if resolution is not reached.

b) Appeals against the decisions of the Partners are made through the normal appeal procedures of the church concerned.